Tool for adjusting earrings and similar devices



Feb. 25, 1958 L. LAWRENCE 2,324,474

TOOL FOR ADJUSTING EARRINGS AND SIMILAR DEVICES Filed NOV. 8, 1956 United States Patent TOOL FOR ADJUSTING EARRINGS AND SIMILAR DEVICES Leonard Lawrence, New York, N. Y.

Application November 8, 1956, Serial N 0. 621,048

2- Claims. (CI. 81-45) This invention relates generally to the field of tools, and more particularly to an improved adjustment tool particularly adapted for the adjustment of the resilient force of small flat springs.

With the increasing use of earrings of a type in which the same are maintained upon an ear lobe solely by resilient force, there has arisen a corresponding need for the adjustment of such devices, so that the same may be worn comfortably for relatively long periods of time. Most such devices are fabricated by mass production methods, in which individual variations in the degree of spring tension has varied substantially. In many cases the initial adjustment is so loose that the earrings may be readily lost after wearing the same a short period of time. In other cases, the initial adjustment is of such high spring modulus as to cause injury to the ear lobe when the device is worn. Owing to the difficulty of adjusting the resilient components of such earrings, it is frequently necessary to return the same to a jeweler or store from which the same were purchased, an inconvenience to both the merchant and the user.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a simple tool particularly adapted to be used in the adjustment of resilient type earrings which may be readily used by those possessing only ordinary skill.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved tool of the class described, in which the cost of manufacture may be of a very low order, thus permitting the same to be given away with the sale of a pair of relatively inexpensive earrings if so desired.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an adjustment tool of the class described which may be employed by a user with a minimum exertion of strength, well within the capability of a normal female person.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an adjustment tool which may be manufactured from a single stamping of relatively inexpensive metal sheet material, and in which the precise machining operations necessary have been kept to a minimum.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that a single tool contemplated by the invention may be used with a wide variety of existing types of resilient earrings.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment.

Figure 3 is a rear end elevational view thereof.

2,824,474 Patented Feb. 25, 1958 Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation as seen from the plane 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation as seen from the plane 66 on Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary View in perspective showing the device in use with a first type of resilient earring.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective showing the device in use with a second type of resilient earring. p

In accordance with the invention the device, generally indicated by reference character 10 comprises broadly: a-

gripping portion 11, an elongated shaft portion 12 and an operative end portion 13. The device 10 is preferably formed by stamping the same from sheet brass or steel, to the general configuration or shape of a key, and if desired an opening 14 may be provided to suspend the same from a key ring or similar device.

The operative end portion 13 includes a first pair of oppositely disposed curved surfaces 16 (see Figure 5) and a second pair of oppositely disposed curved surfaces 17 (see Figure 6). These surfaces are preferably ground with a view toward maximum thinness consistent with mechanical strength, so as to be readily insertable between adjacent parts of an earring, as will more fully appear. The end surfaces include a pair of small areas 18 and 19, and engagement slot 20 being disposed therebetween. As best seen on Figures 4 and 6 of the drawing, the slot 20 includes a pair of tapering surfaces 21 and 22 and a bottom surface 23, the degree of tapering being such that the slot 20 is wider at the outer end thereof than the resilient means with which it is engageable, and slightly narrower than the same at the inner end which is bounded by the surface 23.

Referring to Figure 7 of the drawing, there is shown a first form of resilient type earring with which the device 10 may be used. The earring clip generally indicated by reference character 25 includes an earring support member 26 upon which the decorative part of the same is mounted and a resilient member 27 mounted between trunnions 28. The resilient contact portion 29 bears against a resilient centrally disposed portion 30 of the resilient member 27, to urge the same to a closed position.

' This type of construction is adjusted by bending the porcorresponding to the left hand portion of Figure 2.

tion 30 in a direction away from or toward the contact portion 29 to result in reducing or increasing the tension exerted when the relative position of the members 26 and 27 is determined. As seen on Figure 7, when the portion 30 is engaged with the slot 20, owing to the tapered arrangement of the surfaces 21 and 22 the same becomes firmly wedged therein permitting the portion 30 to be gripped at the extreme tip thereof thereby minimizing the degree of bending necessary with a consequent minimizing of the weakening of the material being bent.

When the device is used in conjunction with the earring clip shown on Figure 8 and generally indicated by reference character 33 the action is somewhat similar. Here the clip 33 includes a resilient member 34 which is attached to a main body portion 35 by means of a clamp 36. Adjustment is made by bending the resilient member 34 toward or away from the member 37.

It may thus be seen that I'have invented novel and highly useful improvements in adjusting tools for use with resilient type earrings, which is both easy to manufacture and convenient to use by those possessing only ordinary skill. All types of resilient earrings employing a resilient blade portion may be adjusted to a desired tension in the matter of a moment, adjustment being performed without any damage to the same.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modificaearring clips and similar devices comprising: a gripping 5 portion, and an elongated shaft portion having a free end; said free end being of tapered configuration and having a slot therein extending into the body of said shaft portion, the principal axis of the same lying substantially perpendicular to the axis of said shaft portion; said slot being of 10 tapered configuration in a direction away from said free end.

2. An adjusting tool for altering the spring tension of earring clips and similar devices comprising: a gripping portion, and an elongated shaft portion having a free end; said free end being of tapered configuration and having a slot therein extending into the body of said shaft portion,

the principal axis of said slot lying substantially perpendicular to the axis of said shaft portion; said slot being of continuous tapered configuration in a direction away from said free end.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 985,103 Baum Feb. 21, 1911 1,173,026 Petermann Feb. 22, 1916 2,283,789 Buckwalter May 19, 1942 2,772,587 Woodring et al Dec. 4, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 79,459 Switzerland Nov. 16, 1918 135,269 Switzerland Nov. 16, 1929 240,505 Switzerland July 16, 1946 269,871 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1950 

